BENGALURU: Former minister and BJP leader V Somanna, who wanted to contest the Lok Sabha elections, seems to be on the back foot after the BJP high command leaders – Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda – whom he met in the national capital. Have moved away. Saturday – convinced him not to take the risk of contesting elections now.
Somanna had lobbied for the Tumakuru seat along with sitting MP GS Basavaraju, while former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and his son and BJP state president BY Vijayendra were supporting former minister JC Madhu Swamy. But Shah, citing the party’s internal survey, advised Somanna not to contest if it was not in favour, sources said.
A BJP leader said, “Given the enmity between Somanna, Yediyurappa and Vijayendra, it will be difficult for them to win the election.” Veerashaiva-Lingayat leader Somanna lost both Varuna and Chamarajanagar assembly seats in the May 10 elections. He had alleged that Yediyurappa and Vijayendra did not work in his favor. He was also unhappy after Vijayendra was made the state BJP chief and distanced himself from party activities. He sought intervention from high command leaders, especially Shah, who advised him to contest from both the seats.
“I am satisfied with the response of the high command leaders as they have indicated to put things right. I’ll wait and see. I never said that I will contest Lok Sabha elections. But I have appealed for Rajya Sabha membership and it is up to the high command to take this decision,” Somanna said
